sweetest surprise!

I thought I would quickly update the blog...time is becoming more precious now that it is officially back to work...ugh! My first day back to work was filled with anxiety about all I needed to accomplish in my classroom before Grant's arrival, the worrying about leaving my "Bestie" Maryann (oh how I will miss seeing her daily!), and the typical nerves and stresses that go along with the beginning of each school year; however, my day was quickly turned upside down when I got the sweetest surprise from one of my favorite co-workers (don't tell him that...I like to pick on him and give him a hard time)!

My good friend John Daugherty carried in the most beautiful rocking horse I have ever seen for baby Grant. He had been working on it all summer and made it from scratch.  The horse is flawless and gorgeous; everything is so perfect on it and every detail is thought out with such care and concern.  I almost cried when he brought it into my classroom and was so surprised! It is truly one of the most unexpected, sweetest gestures anyone has done and it made me feel so special! I have no idea how I will ever thank him enough or show him how much I truly appreciate it!  Here are some pictures of the horse in Grant's nursery...it matches perfectly!

Thank you Mr. Daughtery for the sweet gift! I will cherish it always and can't wait for Grant to ride it; I am sure he will enjoy countless hours of fun on it!  I just want you to know over the past few years that I have gotten the privilege to know you how much I admire you as a teacher and a father. I know our students look up to you and our school is lucky to have you as a role model. Thank you for being a friend....and letting our pre-k class play practical jokes on you!

Grant Holden's nursery

Here are a few pictures of the nursery. I love it! It is so warm and comfortable. I still am working on hanging picture frames and adding some decorating touches, but here is what we have so far....

34 and 35 week preggo pics

Here I am at 34 weeks pregnant and feeling great! I am really blessed to have felt so wonderful this entire pregnancy (at least most days).  I am beginning to become overwhelmed with all types of mixed emotions; I am anxious to meet my sweet son, over joyed with his upcoming arrival, excited to see Brad hold his baby for the first time, worried about my furry, brown baby being sad about the new addition, and a little sad that the pregnancy will be over. Don't get me wrong, I will probably love having ankles again, being able to sleep on my stomach, tie my shoes with ease, and go for a run with my Bob stroller; however, I know I will miss feeling Grant move around inside my growing belly.  It is such a special gift from God that He allows us to fully experience the miracle growing inside us; I will never take this experience for granted and will always remember what a blessing the past 9 months have been. The bond that a mother has with her child even before he/she is born is truly a gift and I praise God for allowing me to become a mother! 

34 weeks pregnant (ignore the cankles...lol)

Here  I am at 35 weeks pregnant in the nursery!

 Notice I have switched to only long skirts to avoid looking at the growing ankles and feet!







33 weeks

                                                


Well, I am trying to keep my promise of blogging each week until Grant's big arrival. This week has been an exciting week because I had another shower with wonderful family and friends.  I can't explain how blessed I feel to be loved and surrounded by such wonderful people who already love and pray for my sweet boy and family.  At the shower, I got great gifts, got to see so many wonderful friends that I don't get to see enough, and got to spend time with all the special women that I have grown up admiring and loving! Here are a few pictures from the shower:

32 weeks...8 months

I can't believe I am 32 weeks now! In so many ways I feel like I have been pregnant for a lifetime. I can't remember what it feels like not to have a belly, what it feels like not to have him doing flips, jumps, and somersaults in my belly, how to go out for a long jog, what my ankles look like (lol) etc.  On the other hand, this precious time in my life is going way to quickly!!! I will miss my belly (a little), but most of all I will miss feeling him inside me. What a special gift from God! Everyday, the roller coasters in my belly make me laugh out loud, tear up with joy, and fill my soul with excitement and anticipation! I am so in love already and proud to be his mom! It will be such an amazing day when I finally get to meet Grant face to face, see who he looks like (I hope his dad), and introduce him to Brad.  Here are a few pics from 32 weeks....

Since I have been out of school for the summer and the baby's due date is quickly approaching, my nesting has kicked into full gear!!! I can't clean enough, organize enough, or seem to 100% complete anything! The nursery is coming along; however, we are still waiting on the crib and bedding. I have the dresser and hutch in the room and have began organizing the closet.  The clothes are getting washed and against Brad's better judgement, the pack n' play is up in our room.  (Brad did not understand why the pack n' play, that takes 2 minutes to assemble, had to be up 2 months early, and placed in front of his dresser...ha ha!)

I am going to try and post weekly until little Grant Holden's birthday; hopefully I can stay on top of this.  I am feeling so blessed and want to document the exciting next couple of weeks. God is great and has blessed me beyond what I deserve!

29 1/2 weeks

Where is the time going? You would think that I would be able to keep up with this blog now that I am off of work for a few months, but I seem to be feeling busier than ever! I am hoping to slow down a bit in the next few weeks, so I can really buckle down and prepare for Baby Grant Holden's arrival! I am feeling the need to "nest"; in other words, I need to clean everything out and up, organize my entire house, and complete (or begin) a few sentimental projects I want to do for him before he arrives! The last few weeks have been super exciting though because we have begun having baby showers.  We feel so incredibly blessed to have such wonderful family and friends that are excited for Brad and I and can't wait to help us welcome our sweet baby into our lives.  He is going to be so loved and blessed to have such amazing people in his life!  Here are a few pictures from the showers...there were so many wonderful ones of all our great friends...I just picked a few.

As the date grows closer of actually getting to meet him for the first time, I am overwhelmed with emotions! I am so excited and feel so lucky and blessed to be his mom! I cry a lot thinking about him and how much I already love him...it is really amazing! I can't wait to see Brad hold him for the first time; what an awesome relationship they will have! God has blessed me beyond my imagination and I am truly grateful and humbled by the pregnancy and the thought of meeting Grant! My God is a great God! I know my future as a mom will be hard, but I know the blessings God has in store for me will always out weigh the hard times! I will praise Him all the days (even days when I need a little reminding)! Thank you Lord for baby Grant and all my wonderful friends and family...the love I feel is amazing!

Sweet surprises

As the Southern summer heat rises...so do my ankles! I officially have cankles...ha ha! I was not very happy about the look of my legs today and was really not enjoying coming home and elevating my ever swelling feet.  I wanted so badly to be outside in the heat, walking, playing in the yard with my sweet dog, or going to the gym for a spinning class; however, the mom in me thought it would be best to rest (even though I hate sitting still). I might have been throwing myself a small pity party...lol! As I sit with my feet elevated, the door bell rang and to my surprise there was a huge package at the door for me.  My sweet mother-in-law made our cradle bumper pad to go in our living room.  Not only did she make baby Grant his first bedding, but she also sent some sweet "pick me ups" for Grant and I.  It is amazing how God works through those that love us.  The small gifts and sweet letter was the perfect reminder of the miracle growing inside me and the great Blessing he already is to Brad and I and our families.  He is already so loved!! The "lovely" swelling is such a small sacrifice for such an amazing gift...it brings tears to my eyes!  My God is great and I love Him! I pray that Grant's heart yearns for God and he lives his life to serve his creator!  I also hope that one day Grant and I can be that "someone" that God uses to lift someone up or blesses someone through us (just as Nancy did for me today).

 I will post some recent pics....and hope to post a new belly picture this weekend. My belly is growing daily and I am loving (one of my favorite things ever) feeling him move inside my belly.  He makes me smile, laugh, and tear up daily through his sweet little kicks and punches. Being a mom is already amazing!



My cradle from when I was a baby. New bumper pad Nancy made to match living room




Brad is going to refinish the cradle and make it black.




Sweet book that Emily-Anne gave Grant and Nancy's sweet story about our precious baby!



Travel toys and bottle warmer for car!



You know you are a mom when...you go to NYC and this is what you come back with! ha ha



Nursery before painting





Nursery after painting with new chair and ottoman..still waiting for furniture to come in!